By Shaun Brown

“My physique’s in agony however that’s to be anticipated.”

Caoimhin Agyarko was simply attempting to get his day going when answering a name from Boxing Information. After a career-boosting victory on Saturday evening (December 2), the Northern Irishman reviewed his efficiency in opposition to Troy Williamson in Belfast and advised us all about battling nerves within the build-up and revealed the title he feels he can now go on and problem for.

BN: Reflecting in your win in opposition to Troy Williamson, what did you consider your efficiency?

CA: I haven’t watched it again but, however I feel within the second and on the time I felt like I used to be boxing very effectively. Personally, I assumed the primary six rounds have been very easy to be sincere. Lots of people mentioned I misplaced possibly one of many early rounds; the third or fourth. It was simpler than anticipated through the first six. The seventh and eighth have been a bit robust after which I coasted the final two. That was most likely my greatest efficiency so far. I confirmed a bit little bit of every little thing. I traded with him after I needed to, I out-jabbed him, I used my feints, I used my footwork, I out-boxed him after I needed to, so there was a little bit of every little thing on Saturday evening.

BN: The struggle was puffed up and rightly so. Did you are feeling any pre-fight nerves?

CA: I don’t get nervous for fights which may be very insane. I usually should make myself nervous within the altering rooms.

BN: How do you go about making your self nervous?

CA: I simply undergo eventualities that would occur within the struggle. Generally unfavorable eventualities like, if I get caught with a sure shot, what would I do? It makes me nervous. I envision getting caught or clipped or put down. That makes me nervous. Having nerves is an efficient factor since you’re a bit sharper and zoned in. Within the build-up to this struggle, for the final eight or 9 weeks, I used to be going to mattress nervous each single evening. And I used to be like, “Fuck, that is new to me.” I assumed on the evening I’d be very, very nervous. However the entire struggle week, after which the struggle evening, I wasn’t nervous one bit. I assumed strolling out to that crowd, eight thousand Irish followers screaming my title, I’d be nervous, however I wasn’t nervous one bit. I relished the second and took it wherein I used to be glad about as a result of I knew easy methods to take care of my feelings then. It wasn’t like I used to be having to take care of my feelings whereas being nervous as effectively.

BN: What did you consider Troy Williamson as an opponent?

CA: I’ve all the time rated him as a superb fighter. I didn’t actually really feel his energy; it didn’t have an effect on me. I positively felt his strain. He’s a front-foot fighter, very continuous coming ahead, and [he] didn’t take a step again. He’s an excellent fighter and has nonetheless obtained so much left to present. He’s all the time going to be in thrilling fights along with his type. It was by no means something private [between us]. Individuals have been attempting to construct it up as one thing private. I all the time mentioned it was by no means private, that is enterprise to me. He shocked me in levels as a result of I anticipated him to press the motion earlier within the struggle and he didn’t actually. I assumed he would have been continuous from the primary bell and wasn’t. He gave me a little bit of respiration room [in] the primary two rounds however yeah, I price Troy.

BN: Simply as the ultimate bell rang you appeared to set free a launch of emotion understanding you’d gained. Successful that struggle clearly meant so much.

CA: Undoubtedly. That struggle meant so much to me [but] not as a result of there was lots of strain on my shoulders. Lots of people have been saying this was a make-or-break struggle for Caoimhin Agyarko which I didn’t perceive. I used to be 13-0, I solely simply turned 27 final Wednesday. Very younger and never many fights. For folks to say it was make-or-break after I’ve by no means taken a loss was very unusual to me. So, folks have been including strain to my shoulders by saying I’m going to fold underneath the strain in opposition to Troy, he’s too good, he’s fought at a greater stage blah-blah-blah, I’ve by no means confirmed myself… this, that and the opposite. There was lots of doubters. It was again house in Belfast, there was lots of strain on my shoulders, and I did really feel that for the primary time ever. It was good to set free that little bit of rigidity which I’ve been holding within the for the final eight weeks. It was a superb launch. Once I walked again to my altering room I mentioned to my coach, “Thank fuck that’s over. We obtained it achieved and proved all people improper.”

BN: You’ve now crushed a former British champion, so is the plan now to enhance on that and face somebody even higher subsequent day trip?

CA: My principal purpose is exercise. I’ve simply come off a troublesome struggle and a superb win for me; a fantastic title. However I clearly wish to preserve progressing and preserve placing good names on the report and testing myself. I’ll sit down with my supervisor subsequent week and assess what’s subsequent and what route we wish to go down.

BN: So, what do you do now for the remainder of 2023? Are you going to get time to get pleasure from Christmas?

CA: Get pleasure from Christmas, positively. That was an extended camp. I’ve been away from my family and friends for the reason that begin of August. I made lots of sacrifices in camp. I missed my birthday, I missed good friend’s birthdays, I missed sure issues that I want to have attended. I used to be away from my girlfriend, too. So, I wish to get pleasure from Christmas with my family and friends after which I’ll be heading again to camp finish of January. I’ll nonetheless practice over Christmas however will likely be again to camp January and we’ll then plan for a giant 2024.

BN: Would you want a shot on the European title? You talked about sitting down with your personal crew, however you have to have your personal ambitions.

CA: Undoubtedly. I’ve mentioned you’ll be able to’t skip ranges in boxing. My plan in 2023 was to goal for the European title however once more inactivity and accidents saved me out of the ring, so it wasn’t potential. I had surgical procedure initially of the yr. I feel I’m in a superb place to go and problem for a European title; get myself into place for a European title after which on to world honours.